My father, during the Jiajing era, ensured that every household was clean and tidy.

Evening, in the back courtyard.

The elderly man, who had been on duty in the cabinet for a day, returned home. Xu Jie, also an elderly man, had just turned fifty this year.

He is now in his fifties.

In terms of official experience and accumulation, fifty years old is an excellent age. Take Xu Jie, for example. He was the second-in-command in the government, a leader of the Qingliu faction, and had students and former officials all over the country. He was a disciple of Wang Yangming and the leader of the Neo-Confucianism school, and his name was known throughout the world.

This is the perfect time to strive and work hard.

But putting all that aside, looking back at himself, a fifty-year-old is, after all, an old man. As people age, they no longer rely on their physical strength. After a long day at work, Xu Jie can finally relax a bit.

"Father is back."

"Um."

The eldest son, Xu Fan, brushed aside the servants, stepped forward to take his father's official hat and sash, and while serving him, he sighed, "Now the cabinet has no one capable of handling things, which has made Father work non-stop every day."

Xu Jie took off his official robe and said calmly, "Grand Secretary Yan is currently impeached and retired at home. I'm just filling in for him for a few days. Once he returns, I won't have to work anymore."

Xu Fan paused for a moment, then quickly resumed his movements and asked, "Father, have you heard about what happened on Chang'an Street today?"

"I heard about it, and not only did I hear about it, I also participated in it."

Clang!

Xu Fan lost his grip on the bronze tray and it fell to the ground. Ignoring the water spilled, he exclaimed in shock, "Father arranged for the Yang family to block Prince Jing's carriage today?!"

Xu Jie didn't even glance at his son. After washing up, he went to his study on his own.

After entering the study, his eldest son followed in, and Xu Jie scolded him, "Am I getting senile, or are you? You're blatantly trying to embarrass Prince Jing, and you chose to do it right after he left the West Garden and met with the Emperor? Think before you speak."

Xu Fan was speechless: "Then..."

Xu Jie picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "The involvement I mentioned refers to the time after Prince Jing accepted the Yang family's grievance and went to see Yang Jisheng and Yan Song."

Prince Jing entered Yan's residence in the morning and was escorted to the Ministry of Justice at noon. In the afternoon, He Ao, the Minister of Justice, together with other officials from the Ministry of Justice, retried Yang Jisheng's case and submitted a memorial to the cabinet requesting a lighter punishment.

Xu Jie, who was on duty in the cabinet, neither stopped it nor should have stopped it; he simply handed it over to the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Logically speaking, such a rapid reversal of right and wrong and the spreading of rumors would displease the palace. However, to Xu Jie's surprise, the palace issued an imperial decree that very afternoon, granting the request.

"The Emperor has agreed!?"

Even Xu Jie would be surprised, but Xu Fan, upon hearing this, could only be utterly astonished, exclaiming, "This isn't in accordance with the rules!"

It should be noted that Yang Jisheng's previous sentence was suspended death sentence, meaning that the execution of the hanging would be postponed, and he would be imprisoned until autumn when he would be tried by officials from the three judicial departments.

If convicted, the offender will be hanged; if not convicted, the sentence may be reduced, pending further investigation, or the offender may remain imprisoned.

Essentially.

This is part of the death penalty review system.

A complex and comprehensive process is in place to ensure that the death penalty is not abused and that no life is wrongfully taken.

The Ministry of Justice clearly did not follow procedures or comply with regulations in its retrial of Yang Jisheng's conviction.

In this regard.

Xu Jie sighed softly and said only one sentence: "Yes, it is against the rules, but the Emperor's decree is the rule. There are no rules, but rules can be formed. As Han Feizi said, a sage does not seek to follow the ancients, nor does he follow the constant rules. The Emperor is a sage, and this is exactly the case."

Xu Fan was speechless.

He lacked his father's seasoned experience and couldn't understand why the Emperor would tacitly approve of the matter. After a long silence, he replied, "His Majesty's heart is as deep as an abyss..."

Xu Jie put down his teacup. "In any case, the Emperor still has a strong patronage of Yan Song. This time, Yang Jisheng made a mistake, and I, as his teacher, cannot escape blame. Don't delay the marriage proposal. Find an opportunity to talk to Yan Shifan in person another day."

"Father!"

Xu Fan exclaimed in surprise.

At the same time, a girl's soft sobbing could be heard outside the study. "Don't cry, don't cry," the woman's comforting and sobbing voice followed, and she quickly pulled the girl away.

Those were Xu Fan's wife and daughter. It was no coincidence that they were waiting outside the study. It was also no coincidence that Xu Fan himself came to help his father wash up today.

Just three days ago, Xu Jie made a decision: he would marry off his granddaughter to Yan Song's grandson and Yan Shifan's son.

It's said to be a wedding for their granddaughter.

In reality, it was an act of bowing down and apologizing.

This intention was clear not only to Xu Fan and his wife, but also to the young girl who was the gift herself.

No matter what they did today, or how they cried and complained in front of him, Xu Jie's face remained as upright and solemn as his tied-up gray hair, without the slightest ripple.

"Father," Xu Fan said with a bitter expression, "even if this attempt fails, why lower yourself to this extent! Our family still has some social standing; isn't it a bit too much to rush to send our daughter away like this..."

"too……"

"You mean to say it's too despicable?" the old man continued.

Xu Fan gritted his teeth and remained silent.

Faced with his eldest son's disobedience, Xu Jie was not angry. He remained calm and composed, saying, "There has always been a rule in officialdom: whether you are honest or corrupt, whether you suppress dissidents or cultivate your own power, whatever you do, you must first consider the Emperor, then the Ming Dynasty, and finally the common people."

"The only thing I can't bring is myself."

"It's like at home, when children feel resentment, anger, tears, or sorrow, they must first respect their parents, then think about filial piety, and finally..."

"Reflect on how powerful public opinion can be."

Upon hearing this, Xu Fan turned pale, knelt down with a thud, and had nothing more to say.

Xu Jie's disappointment was evident in his eyes. He looked towards the back of the house and said, "Listen, someone is crying in the back. They are crying for me, and for you. I have taught you many times to be steady, to be patient, and to be able to endure."

"And the result?"

"Two women can make you lose your bearings. What will your father rely on you for in the future?"

"Son..." Xu Fan choked up, unable to speak.

"Sigh." Xu Jie sighed. "Get up. From now on, observe more, speak less, and do less. When the Yan family sends someone to propose marriage, you will step forward. Remember, this is a wedding for a daughter of the Xu family, not a funeral. Tell your family... if you've cried enough today, you can laugh another day."

"Go out."

The eldest son silently withdrew, leaving Xu Jie alone.

Night fell, and all was quiet.

When he was alone, Xu Jie was finally able to say less nonsense and save his thoughts to reflect on the changes that had occurred during the day.

It was thought that if Yang Jisheng's impeachment of Yan Song succeeded, everyone would be happy; if it failed, he would anger the Yan family, and Yang Jisheng's life would be uncertain. This would be a good opportunity for the world to see the Yan faction's turmoil and to recognize the evil of Prince Jing and the merit of Prince Yu.

Yang Jisheng, you could say, died a worthy death.

Unexpected.

King Jing ruined the whole thing.

Xu Jie rubbed his fingers together, pondering to himself: 'Was this counterattack today Prince Jing's own idea, or was he instructed by someone behind the scenes? Wu Yingfeng, Yan Song, or perhaps someone else?'

If it was truly King Jing's own idea, was he acting recklessly or did he consider the pros and cons and do it intentionally?

If it is the former, there is nothing to fear.

If it is the latter.

But we'll have to be careful...